Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! At Chicago Booth, we value the diverse perspectives each class brings to our community. With our dedication to shining light on our diverse and inclusive community, we appreciate hearing from our Boothies as they share their experiences with potential future students. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’d like to highlight our affiliated student-led groups and share what it is like to live in Chicago during this month of cultural celebration. Read on to learn more:
The Hispanic American Business Students Association (HABSA) serves as a professional resource and peer network for Booth's Hispanic community within our Full-Time MBA Program. HABSA creates an environment where students can work on professional development and engage with alumni for recruiting and networking opportunities, while also fostering a community that promotes personal growth and social community.
“As the first on both sides of my family to go to college or grad school, I was so grateful for the community that HABSA created when I arrived at Booth. The second-year HABSA members were incredibly helpful and made the transition seamless. I wanted to become a co-chair to pay it forward to the Class of 2026!” – Lorenza Ramirez, Class of 2025 and current HABSA co-chair
“This student group has been an integral part of my MBA experience. Even before I started my first year, HABSA provided support while I was doing pre-MBA early recruiting for consulting. The casing resources and conversations with HABSA members that had gone through consulting recruiting before were invaluable in helping me land internships in that field. HABSA has also been a chance for me to find community within Booth, including with folks that came from similar backgrounds as me in a place where we are often underrepresented. The friendships have gone a long way toward making Booth feel like home!” – Pedro Ribeiro, ‘24
The Latin American Business Group (LABG) represents and supports the Latin American community within our Full-Time MBA Program at Booth. Known for their versatility and for being one of the most tight-knit groups at Booth, they are committed to providing members with opportunities and support through professional activities, mentorship, speaker series, and social events.
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“LABG has definitely embodied Booth’s ‘pay-it-forward’ culture. Prior to coming to Booth I was already in Latinx Boothie WhatsApp groups where 2Ys made sure we had a point of contact to set us up for success during our first few weeks of school. They shared pre-MBA opportunities, class recommendations, Chicago guides, and everything one might need when moving to a new city. Once I got to Chicago, the LABG events provided a great way to get to know others in the community and enjoy great music, food, and Spanish interactions.” – Maria Isabel Aguayo, ‘24
The Coalition of Minorities in Business (CMB) serves as an advocate for the Black, Latino, and Native American student populations within our Part-Time MBA Program. They aim to educate future business leaders on the benefits of diversity and foster professional development to promote diversity in business leadership.
“During my first few weeks at Booth, Jasmine Barksdale, ‘22, one of the Coalition of Minorities in Business (CMB) co-chairs at the time, invited me to a Zoom coffee chat to welcome me and share insights into starting my time at Booth. I felt the generosity and care through my interaction with Jasmine and CMB for the subsequent quarters, and I remember thinking, ‘I'm in the right place.’” – Lynnette Miranda, ‘23, and former CMB co-chair
What makes Chicago a great place to be during National Hispanic Heritage Month?
“Having grown up here, I have seen firsthand how Chicago is a world-class destination for people worldwide, including the Latinx diaspora. This city is rich in diverse cultural events, cuisines, and neighborhoods. In September through October, when countries like Mexico, Chile, and Guatemala celebrate their independence, people can experience what makes our cultures so diverse and unique.” – Gil Jimenez, ‘24, and former CMB member
“National Hispanic Heritage Month is a good time to reconnect with the culture and traditions that are important to my family and me. I also live in Humboldt Park, which is a Chicago neighborhood that takes celebrating events such as the Puerto Rican Festival and Mexican Independence Day very seriously! I enjoy seeing people drive around the neighborhood with their flags waving proudly.” – Nicole Silva, ‘23
Our community is filled with students who appreciate and are open to learning more about each other’s backgrounds. Explore the ways in which Chicago Booth values diversity within our community and learn more about the unparalleled MBA experience available to you at Chicago Booth.
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Check out our recent Q&A with Maria as she discusses her MBA experience at Booth and involvement in the Latin American Business Group.
Get to Know Maria Isabel Aguayo, Class of 2024
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, learn more about the South Asian Business Group on campus from the perspective of Full-Time MBA student and current co-chair, Tanya Kalra.
Connecting with our AAPI Community: Student Spotlight on the South Asian Business Group
Our Forté Fellows share their insights and takeaways from the 2022 MBA Women's Leadership Conference.
Q&A with Booth Forté Fellows